Laundry machine with hydraulic separator



1961 H. H. MORRIS ETAL 3,003,

LAUNDRY MACHINE WITH HYDRAULIC SEPARATOR Filed Sept. 13, 1957 3Sheets-Sheet J.

15o q I36 f I. \Q 134 4 NJ 52 152 1 I54 INVENTORS 154 HAROLD H. MORRISJAMES W. MOORE BYSAMUEL E. STONE Oct. 10, 1961 H. H. MORRIS ETAL 3, 3,3

LAUNDRY MACHINE WITH HYDRAULIC SEPARATQR Filed Sept. 13, 1957 3Sheets-Sheet 2 GOOD DUDE] Magma ATTORN EYS Oct. 10, 1961 Filed Sept. 13,1957 H. HJMORRIS ETAL LAUNDRY MACHINE WITH HYDRAULIC SEPARATOR 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS HAROLD H. MORRIS JAMES w. MOORE BY SAMUEL E.STONE ATT RNEYS United States Patent 3,003,347 LAUNDRY MACHINE WITHHYDRAULIC SEPARATOR Harold H. Morris, St. Joseph, James W. Moore, BentonHarbor, and Samuel E. Stone, Berrien Springs, MiclL, assignors toWhirlpool Corporation, St. Joseph, Mich., a corporation of DelawareFiled Sept. 13, 1957, Ser. No. 683,882 5 Claims. (CI. 68-42) The presentinvention relates to improvements in laundering machines, and moreparticularly to a laundering apparatus and method employing a fluidsystem which clears the laundering fluid and removes foreign material ofa wide range in size and density, thereby being capable of successfullyseparating lint, soils and other foreign materials from wash water usedin home laundry machines.

In a laundry machine, such as the automatic home laundry type, effectivelaundering of the clothes is improved with the use of clean Water.Further, if the water can be cleared of foreign, material, soils andlint during washing, these will not remain in the clothing. Clearing thewater is of importance in suds saving systems where the sudsy wash wateris stored between successive washing operations and reused, thus savingfuel for heating the water and saving soap and detergent. A machinewhich can reuse the wash Water is of especial value in areas whichsufier water shortages.

The use of ordinary filters and strainers have had limitations in theeffectiveness of the cleaning ability to remove particles of'all sizes,capacity, and usually have required manual attention for cleaning.

Laundry liquid as referred to herein is either a washing solution or arinsing solution, for example, water with a liquid miscible detergent orother soluble agent therein. Soiled laundry liquid is that which iscontaminated with such liquid immiscible components as are desirablyremoved during the washing cycle. Such immiscible components may includeheavy particles or objects which do not 'go into suspension and lighterparticles which are admixed with the laundry liquid in a washing zone toform a suspension. The suspended immiscible components, in turn, mayinclude lint particles and the like which have a low density and soilparticles having a heavier density. In other words, the immisciblecomponents are of two phases, a heavy density phase and a light densityphase.

The present invention also contemplates providing an improved fluid flowsystem for a domestic type automatic laundry and an improved fluidpurifying or clearing system, which in the preferred form util zes aseparator means which whirls a stream of the fluid in the form ofayvortex.' Impurities and foreign materials of all densities and Weightsare removed from the fluid system at various points of the vortex andclarified fluid is continuously returned back to the washing zone. Thefluid clearing system of the present invention also automaticallyoperates to deliver the impurities and other materials removed from thefluid to a drain and is especially well suited for operation incombination with an automatic home laundry machine continuouslypurifying the wash water. i

A feature of the invention is the provision of apparatus which willremove foreign materials which are lightweight and of a density lessthan water such as lint, threads and the like, which are found in washwater, either directing them to a drain or recirculating them throughthe fluid clearing system until a predetermined time in the cycle whenthey are discharged to drain.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of 'a fluid clearingsystem .for an automatic washing machine which will operate continuouslyduring the operation of the washer and will automatically flush itselfto discharge foreign materials to drain at a predetermined period in thecycle of operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved fluidclearing system for an automatic home laundry machine or the like, whichwill separate impurities from the washing fluid in a continuousoperation and is capable of removing impurities, soils and foreignmaterials of all sizes and of all densities.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus andmethod for the separation of lightweight particles of a density lessthan water from a fluid such as wash water used in a laundry machine.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a completely automaticfluid clearing system for use in a home laundry machine which is capableof continuous operation without having need of any manual attentionwhich will automatically completely flush and clean all elements of theclearing system, thereby obviating the need for manual cleaning.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved clearingsystem using a hydraulic cyclone separation chamber of an improveddesign for separation of impurities from a fluid without the loss of asignificant amount of fluid during separation operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved separationsystem for removing particles from a fluid wherein certain particles areretained in the system during operation, but are flushed to a drain at apredetermined time in the complete operational cycle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid separationapparatus for removing particles both of a density heavier than waterand of a density lighter than water with an improved fluid flow controlmeans for allowing the escape of a predetermined minimum amount of fluidduring operation and for periodically dumping and flushing the separatedparticles to a drain.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fluidrecirculation system for a home laundry machine wherein large heavyforeign objects are removed from the fluid during recirculation ahead ofa separation unit which operates to separate other foreign particles ofdensities both heavier and lighter than water, and wherein the clearedwater is delivered back to the laundry machine.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent with the teachingof the principles of the present invention in connection with thedisclosure of the preferred embodiments in the specification, claims anddrawings, in which: 7

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view shown partially in schematic form,of a laundry machine combined with a fluid clearing system in accordancewith the principles of the present invention;

FIGURES 2a and 2b are detailed schematic showings of the fluid controlvalve illustrating the operation of the flush and dump valve;

FIGURE 3 is' a schematic showing of a portion of the fluid clearingsystem illustrating an alternative structure for removing thelightweight materials from the FIGURE 4 is a schematic showing of aportion of the fluid clearing system illustrating another form forremoving the lightweight materials from the system; 7

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the details of thehydraulic separator;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a portion of the separator for removing theheavy phase particles from the fluid; and, t

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along VII of FIGURE 5, andillustrating the separator from the Whilethe features of the inventionare shown in the i preferred arrangement, it will be understood thateleintents of the invention may be utilized in other environrhents"taking advantage of their inherent features and functions; Asillustrated in the drawings, withfreference jto FIGURE 1, the inventionis shown embodied in an "automatic home laundry mechanism. The laundrymachine employs a fluid recirculation arrangement wherein a'stream oflaundry liquid is driven through a hydraulic circuit, and the soils,foreign particles, lint and the like are removed atone point in thecircuit in order that clarified liquidmay be returned to a treatment orwashing zone in which foreign particles washed out of clothes areadmixed with the fluid at another point in the circuit. The laundrymachineis shown as including a cabinet 10 which'houses the operatingmechanism. It'will be understood that the fluid separation system isshown in enlarged form in order that the details may be better observedand described. However, in'normal size relationship, the fluidseparating mechanism would be much smaller in proportion to the cabinetand other elements of; the laundry machine than shown in the drawings,and the separation system would be housed completely within the cabinet'tomake an attractive appearing unit. Theover-all system includes theelements of a tub 1 2, which contains the laundering fluid, arecirculating conduit. means 14 which leads from the tub to withdrawfluid therefrom and returns it back to the tub, apump means 16in therecirculation conduit means, a trap 18 ahead of the pump, and aseparation apparatus 20 for the heavy fihhseand light phase materialsuspended in the washing d.

' The tub 12 of the laundry machine contains a launderingfluid and maybe provided with a basket 22 therein :which is supported for rotationabout'a vertical axis. :rhe basket. may be of varying design, and isshown as perforated by openings 24 for the escape of fluid when thebasket is spun at high speeds to centrifugally extract ,the fluid fromclothes therein. However, other designs of laundering machine elementsmay be employed, and, for example, imperforate tapered baskets may beused.

The machine could also be of the horizontal drum type or could comprisea so-called combo or, combination washer dryer.

The basket contains laundering means for performing the washingoperation, such as an agitator, and'the laundering means including theagitator, the basket drive, and the drive pump, are operated bypower'means'such as -anelectric motor 24. The motor connects to a gearre- -'duction system (not shown) to drive a shaft 26 for operating theagitator and to drive the basket. The motor isshown connected to apulley 28 over which passes a belt 30 that drives a pulley 32 connectedto a drive shaft f the pump 16. The pump 16 may be continuously driventhroughout the operation of the laundry machine 'solthatwhenever fluidis available in the tub 12, it will .be recirculated through theclearing system, thus clearing the rinse water as well as the washWater.

' The cycle of operations of the laundry machine is controlledJiChIOllgh a pre-settable sequential control means suchas atime cycledevice 34, which may be provided with the usual time1- motor and camoperated. time series of washing, rinsing and drying operations orcycles. The time elapsed and operational phase of the machine .may beindicated on a dial 36provided with a knob 38 'for manually setting theoperation of the machine. The .timecycle control device 34, of course,startsthe machine stops it at the end of operations. In the presentarrangement, the time cycle means is used to control a dumpingandflushing valve apparatus 40, which will .be

laterindetail. I r

switches to. sequentially operate the machine through a dischargethrough the fluid outlet.

The construction and operation of the fluid clearing apparatus may bebest understood by following the flow of fluid through the conduit 14.In other words, a hydraulic circuit is provided through which a streamof laundry liquid is driven. At one point in the circuit, namely thewashing zone foreign liquid immiscible components are admixed with thestream including settleable solids, and particles of varying densitywhich form with the stream a suspension all of which is withdrawn fromthe tub 12 through an outlet conduit 42 connected to the tub 12 by afitting 44. The outlet conduit 42 leadsinto the top of the trap 18positioned directly beneath the tub 12 so that settleable solids whichwill not remain in suspension in the fluid, such as nails, hairpins,buttons, and the like, will settle or drop and deposit themselves in thebottom 46 of the trap 18. The trap has a removable base 48 for effectingperiodic cleaning at infrequent intervals. 7

The fluid continues its flow in the recirculation conduit -means14 byleaving the trap 18 through the trap outlet conduit 50, which leads to a'T-fitting 52 and up into. the pump 16 through a pump inlet line 54, Theother branch ofthe T is connected to a conduit 56, which carries thelight phase materials that have been separated in the cyclone chamber 58wherein the stream of fluid is vortically whirled to form aliquidvortex.

The pump 16 is a positive displacement pump or-the like which forces ordrives the fluid stream through the hydraulic circuit. The fluid leavesthe pump 16 through the pump discharge line 60 flowing through theconduit 62 andenters the cyclone chamber 58 through the separator inlet64. V

The separator 20 operates to remove both light phase and heavy phasematerials and in its preferred form employsa conical chamber which issubstantially conical in shape, and is provided at or near its widestpart with a tangential inlet for the fluid to be supplied under pressureand to circulate therein with a vortical flow. As a result of the shapeof the chamber and the tangential inlet, the liquid body in the cyclonechamber is compelled to rapidly rotate around the axis of the chamber.The chamber is providedwith a central aperture in its large end fordischarging the liquid rotating therein while the separated materialsgather at the apex of the chamber. 1

The rotational movement of the'fluid or suspension in the cyclonechamber consists of two generally concentrical vortices of the samerotation but of opposite axial directions with the outer one rotatingtoward the apex of the chamber, and the inner one rotating toward thelarge end. The major part of the liquid, that which is purified, rotatesin the outer vortex to flow toward the axis of the chamber and passesinto the innervortex and discharges through the outlet.

In this apparatus the denser andgreater particles in the suspension arethrown outwardly toward the circumference of the cyclone chamber whenthe fluid enters tangentially. The larger or heavier particles whichhave a density greater than the fluid and which are referred to as theheavy phase particles are thus thrown outwardly along with the liquidinto the center of the rotating liquid body and move in an oppositeaxial direction for By selectively varying the size of the solids outletat the apex of the cone variations in the character of the fluid and thewaste particles to be removed can be accommodated.

As maybe viewed in the drawings of FIGURES, 5,

' 6 and 7, which show the details-of the separator unit 20, the cyclone:inlet 64 enters tangentially at the large end of the cyclonechamber 58.The hydraulic cyclone providing the interior comically shaped cyclonechamher 58 therein. The chamber 58 has a cap 68 bolted to the largeupper end by studs 71 threaded into the flanged upper circular end 73 ofthe cyclone shell 66.

The fluid enters tangentially through the inlet 64 and whirls aroundwithin the cyclone chamber 58 in a circular outer vortex path, asindicated by the arrows 70. The centrifugal force carries the heavyphase particles against the wall of the shell 66 whereby they passdownwardly to the discharge opening 72. Simultaneously, a counterflowingvortex is formed moving upwardly within the cyclone chamber 58 andcarrying at its center the light phase particles or those which have adensity less than the fluid which is, in this case, wash water. Theselight phase particles will include heavier hollow particles, elongatedthin particles, and particularly particles such as lint and the likewhich are removed from the clothes in the basket during washing. Thislint is particularly objectionable in that it will cling to the clotheswithin the tub and it will be forced against the surface of the clothesduring the spin-dry operation. It is, therefore, an important feature ofthe invention that the separating system is'capable of removing theseparticles of lint from the washing fluid and returning thelint-freei'cleared fluid back to the machine.

The lint-laden vortex will pass into the vortex-finder tube 74 whichprojects coaxially down into the center of the cyclone chamber. Thisfluid will continue to circulate carrying the very light lint materialsto the very center of the vortex where they are picked up by a secondcoaxial vortex-finder tube 76, which is positioned Withdrawn into thefirst larger vortex-fiinder tube 74, for the express purpose of removingthe light phase material. The inner smaller vortex-finder tube 76 leadsout through the outlet conduit 78 which connects to the conduit 56leading back to the pump, as may be viewed in FIGURE 1.

Thus, as in the form shown inFIGURE 1, the light phase materials areremoved in the cyclone separator and returned back to the pump 16. Asmay be observed, the pump again will receive thematerials and returnthem back to the cyclone separator through the inlet 64. During theoperation of the laundering machine and during the operation of theseparator mechanism, the light phase materials will continue to berecirculated and reseparated. During some predetermined time in theoperation, preferably at the end of the washing cycle, these materialswill be flushed down to drain in a manner which will be later described.However, it is important that theselight materials will continue to beseparated and this is'accomplished without the loss of any washingfluid.

As may be viewed in FIGURES 5 and 6, the cleared fluid continues to flowout around the inner vortex-finder tube 76, and flows out through thecleared fluid outlet 80. a The outlet is connected to an outlet conduit82, which passes through the valve assembly 40 to a 'fluidreturn conduit84, which leads back to the tub. The fluid return conduit 84 may lead tothe side wall of the tub through a connection 86 or may be directed backinto the top of the tub through-a connection 88. This form of connectionis not critical, and the cleared fluid may be returned to the tub in anydesirable manner.

- Referring to FIGURES 1 through 5, the heavy particles which flowdownwardly through the cyclone discharge outlet 72. pass into a primaryoutlet chamber 90, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, the primary outletchamber has an internally threaded boss 92 receiving the fitting 94 ofthe cyclone shell 66. The primary outlet chamber has a closure cap 96which is threaded into the top and is provided with a gasket seal 98 fora fluid tight connection to close the'chamber 90. r r I a The heavyphase particles flow from the cyclone chamber 58 through the dischargeoutlet 72 and into the primary chamber 90. They then flow downwardlythrough the opening 100, which leads to the collection vessel 102. Achamber tube 104 projects downwardly into, the collection vessel and hasa flared end 106 which functions to distribute fluid outwardly when thecollection vessel 102 is flushed with a rapid passage of fluid throughthe opening 100.

In the larger collection vessel 102, the heavy part1- cles settle fromthe fluid and the controlled flow of fluid escapes through the risertube 108, which connects to the fluid escape conduit 110. This conduitas may be viewed in FIGURE 1, also connects to the flushing and dumpingvalve 40.

The solid particles settle in the vase 112 of the collection vessel,which tapers downwardly and has an outlet opening connecting to aflushing conduit 114. This conduit is also connected to the flushing anddumping valve 40, shown schematically in FIGURE 5.

As discussed in connection with FIGURES 1 and 5, the light densitymaterials, which are removed through the inner vortex-finder tube 76,are delivered through conduit 56 to the inlet of the pump 16 to becontlnually recirculated during operation. It will be understood thatthis recirculation could also be achieved by connecting the conduit 56at the other locations ahead of the pump in order to form a flow loopwhich provides for continued recirculation of the light phase materials.

Instead of directing the light phase material, which leaves through theoutlet 78 of the hydraulic cyclone separator in a flow loop, the lightphase material may be directed to a collection chamber '116, which isshown in FIGURE 3. The collection chamber presents a form of settlingcontainer and an inlet tube 78a projects down into a base 118 of thecollection chamber and is connected to the outlet 78. The fluid leavesthe inlet tube 78a and passes up past the lower baflfle 120 over theupper surface of the lower baflle and out past the outer edge of anupper baflle 122. The upper and lower baffles 122 and 120 are conicallyshaped and project downwardly. The upper baifle 122 is suspended on thetube 78a and is of a diameter less than the inside of the collectionchamber whereby it forms a flow gap 124 at its outer edge for the fluidto pass upwardly into the discharge line 82a. The lower baflie 120 issecured at its outer edge to the collection chamber and its inner edgeis short of the central inlet tube 78a to form a flow passageway 126. Asubstantial portion of the fine material will settle at the base 118 andthe cleared carrier liquid will flow through the discharge line 82awhich is connected to the conduit 82, as shown in FIGURE 1, whereby thefluid is returned to thetub, Discharge line 82a could also be connectedto the inlet 54 of the pump whereby the cleared fluid could be againrecirculated through the cyclone chamber 58. A flow regulating valve 126may be placed in the line 82a to limit the escape of canier fluid.

A solids outlet line from the base of the light phase collection chamber116 may be connected to the flushing conduit 114 by line 114a.

A control valve '128 may be provided in this line for flushing thechamber 116 when valve 40 is periodically used to flush the system.

Another manner of getting rid of the light phase materials which aresuspended in the fluid that leaves through the inner vortex tube 76 ofthe cyclone chamber 58, is to direct it to a drain. A number ofconnections may be adopted for this purpose such as connecting theoutlet 78 to the controlled overflow line 110, FIG- DRE 1.

Another manner of directing the fluid to drain is shown in FIGURE 4. Inthis instance, the outlet 78 is connected to line 78b, which leads inthrough the top of the primary outlet chamber a, which corresponds tothe primary outlet chamber 90 of FIGURE 1. Tube 78b extends down intothe primary outlet chamber past the cyclone discharge outlet 72a. Thefine material will thus pass downwardly into the collection vessel 102gand materials will settle therein with the fluid flowing through thecontrolled overflow riser 108a. V v

accordance with the present invention, the heavy phase and light phasematerials are periodically dumped and the cyclone=chamber isperiodically flushed. H Asniay be illustrated in connection with theconstructional examples shown, the operation of the flushing and dumpingvalve 40 is illustrated in FIGURES 2a and 2 b.

w "The valve'40 has a body 130 with inlets 1-32, 134 and 136 and theoutlets 138 and 140. Flow through thevalve is controlled 'by spool valvemember 142 which slidably projects intothe valve body 130. The spoolvalve is controlled by asolenoid 144 which connects to the movable spoolvalve by alink 146. The solenoid'144 is energized through electricalleads 148, which are shown leadingto the time control mechanism 34.During normal operation, thevalve spool is 'in the position shown inFIGURE 2a; and duringthe flushing and dumping operation, the valve spoolmoves to the position of FIGURE 2b. V The valve spool 142 has a reducedportion or an annular groove 150 which permits the fluid to flow fromthe inlet 132 ,to the outlet 138. The inlet 132 is connected :to theclear fluid outlet'80 of the cyclone throughconduit 82. Outlet 138 isconnected to the fluid return conduit '84 so that the clearedfluid'flow's back to the tub. 7 V

The valve spool also has a tapered end 152 which provides fora limitedcontrolled flow between the valve inlet 134 and the valve drain outlet140. The outlet dischargesto a drain 154. The inlet 134 receives fluidfrom 'the controlled overflow conduit 110 leading from the collectionvessel 102. Thus, the valve plunger 142 inits normal-position permitsthe tapered face 152 to justclear inlet 134 and permits a controlledleakage of fluid from the. collection vessel. This is merely asuflicient flow to 'aid in carrying the heavy suspended materialsthrough the cyclone passageway 72 and down intothe collection vessel forsettling, but which is not sufliciently large to permit a substantialloss of washing fluid. Thus, heavy particles settle'at the base 112 'ofthe collection vessel.- A controlledescape of fluid'is permitted throughthe riser tube 108;'and? down through the controlled overflow conduit-110=and the fluid flows past the inclined face 152 of the end of thespool valve 142 and down to the drain 154. When the valve'spool 142 ismoved to open position by-energization ofthe solenoid 144, as showninFIG- URE 2b; a-rush of fluid is permitted through thefvalve toithe'drain 154 to dump the'separated foreign particles and-flush the;separation system. The valve spool 142 raises to a location where all ofthe inlets 132, 134, and 136=are connectedto the'drain outlet 140. Thetapered end-1520f the valve blocks the fluid return conduit 133 back tothe washer to prevent any of the flushing fluid from accidentallyflowing back to the tub. V a In flushingiand dumping position 'of thevalve spool .1'42,1the fluid from cyclone outlet conduit 82 is permittedto flow directly to drain 154. A free flow is also permitedzfromthetcontrolled overflow conduit 110 leading items-the collection vessel.

The base of the collection vessel through the-flushingiconduit 114 isalso opened to-flush the settled-sedimenu down to" the drain "154.- Thisinereasefiin flow through-the-large discharge opening 72at the base ofcyclone chamber 58 greatlyincreases the flow through the base of-the-cyclone chamber and thereby enlarges the central vortex, within thechamber. The light phase materials which have been continuallyrecirculating through tlre. cyclone light phase separation system, willin part,.be flushed out through the :heavyphase separation system.discharging throughrthe passageway 72 at the 2 base; v."Howev er, sincemuch'of the fluid escapes through passageway 7 2, thecirculation'tliroughj theflight' phase '8 fi d r lub 1 h y .wi l th nflont engh t e clear O t e on i 42 p s d wn h q h rain. The ea d. wihr uig h cyclonecfhamber. will a s fl h h inn r Wa l h rthea h mbe ,i se1,;.thusremoving the settling which may have, accumulated there. Theflared end 105 of the tube 104 in the collectionyessel will tend todischarge fluid against the walls. ofsthe collection vessel to flushitclean.

-. i u p n dfl shi g p a o eat d .byiopening the spool valve 40, can bedone intermittentlyduring any cycle of operation andflis 'preferablyperformed at the end of the washing operation.- At time,. the,,lojss ofwashing water by .gflushing willinot matter substantially and a completeand thorough flushing ofgthe cleaning system is automaticallyaccomplished without requiring manual attention. The flushing may be.done, however, without the loss of a large quantity of water. and .theremainderof the water may be directed to aisuds, saver system through avalving arrangement, notshown.

Although the operation of theoverallsystem will have become apparentfrom the description of the individual elements, the summary ofoperation may be helpful in understanding certain of the advantages of.theinvention.

' Washing fluid is contained in the tub 12 and during the washingoperation is continually. recirculated. through a fluid recirculationmeans r14. Very heavy particlesv incapable of being suspended in thefluid are caughtin the trap 18 as the fluid leaves through the outletconduit 42. The fluid cleared of these heavy particles passes safelythrough the positive displacement pump 16 andis delivered to the fluidinlet 64 of the cyclone chamber 58. Upon entering tangentially into thecyclonevchamber, the fluid flows downwardly in the vortex path and theheavy phase par ticles pass through the discharge passageway 72 into theprimary outlet chamber 90., They then flow downwardly to the tube 104into the collection vessel 102 wh're the particles settle at the base112. 1

The fluid circulates in the cyclone chamber 58 and passes intothevortex-finder tube 74,- which coaxially projects' into"thechamber.vThe light phase particles col- 7 lectin the coaxialsm'aller inner vortexfinder tube 76 and endiof the cyclone will be slowed. The vortex in thecyclone wilh'enlzrrg'e and the particles will not coiicjen trate asclosely at' the small light phase yortexdinder tube 76; andinsteadpass-out through the large vortexflow back to the pump 16 in a flow loopand are continually recirculated during operation. Thecleared fluidflows through the outlet 80, the cleared fluid conduit 82, and throughthe valve through the fluid return conduit 84 backinto the tub a2. g V ht The system is automatically flushed, preferably at the end ofthewashingop'eration by raising'th spool valve 142by eh e rgizatio'n Oh thesolenoid-144; opens the flushing conduit 144 to flush theheavy particlesbut-of the base Ofthfi collection vessel and permits ali increased newthroiigh' the Controlled 'overflew 11 10 tofdrainl 'Ihe'incrased 'flowthe cyclone chamber fiuslies'the side walls of the chamber and increasesthe size ofjtlie' inner vortex whefeby the light,l?hase particles'will'flo'w through the clear'fluidjoii tle't' flo' andtlie clear fluidoutletconduittlZ Also a portion of the light phase particles-will passthrough the'dis'char'ge'passageway 7 2 anmuihs the light phaseparticles'will and be "dumped Y J M smeanarrate V d'the y t is e n afirea sa' -an flier a ator; ms i winv aired. the w ihai 's iq d flclean'ng' system 'fori 'i a we -teen er? man a: or the] like which meetsthe jobject-ives; and advantages h re ett g The se a appear n h me usedt rd v r m ve p t s Q 'aW variation dnl i i o. obta er i e fu th r t iis accomplished without a significant loss of fluid and because-of the'widevariationof foreign part'icles'fremoved and the insignificant lossof fluid, the system "is exeeeding'ly well ada'ptedto ass witha laundrymachine for clearing laundry fluid. r V

Theme'ch fn'ism 's c'mp letely" automatic and can be drymachine'fwithout' aaeauen or used: in a home laun cleared duringoperation, it is well adapted to use in areas where water is at premiumand the fluid can be used for succeeding washing operations withoutnecessitating the provision of replacement washing water, thus efiectinga saving of water, and of fuel to heat replacement water and in soap ordetergent required to provide additional suds.

We have, in the drawings and specification, presented a detaileddisclosure of the preferred embodiments of our invention, but it is tobe understood that we do not intend to limit the invention to thespecific forms disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications, changesand alternative constructions and methods falling within the scope ofthe principles taught by our invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. A laundry machine comprising,

an automatic washer having presettable sequential control means foroperating the machine through a cycle including a series of launderingperiods, said machine comprising a tub adapted to receive laundry liquidtherein,

washing means in said tub for admixing immiscible solids including fightphase particles and heavy phase particles washed from materialscontained therein with the laundry liquid,

pumping means having an inlet connected with the tub for driving thelaundry liquid and the admixed solids drawn from the tub in the form ofa stream,

a separator for purifying the stream of laundry liquid during selectedperiods of the laundry machine cycle, p g,

a cyclone chamber in said separator,

having a tangential inlet orifice receiving the stream discharged bysaid pumping means and vertically whirling the stream to produce a fluidvertex in said cyclone chamber,

inner and outer concentrically disposed vortex finding tubes extendinginto said cyclone chamber at the large end of the fluid vortex andforming an annulus between said inner and outer tubes for receivingclarified eflluent, said inner finding tube receiving light phaseparticle-rich fluid for removal thereof from the separator, eflluentconduit means connected to said annulus and to said tub for returningthe clarified eflluent to said tub,

means connected to said cyclone chamber at the small end of the fluidvortex having an outlet for receiving the heavy phase particlesincluding a collection vessel communicating with said outlet to providea quiescent pool in which the separated solids gravitationally settle, adrain conduit connected to the bottom of said collection vessel,

an overflow conduit arranged to receive overflow fluid 10 from near thetop of the collection vessel, and a dumping and flushing valve havinginlet portions connected to said drain conduit and said overflow conduitand having an outlet portion leading to drain, said dumping and flushingvalve having a separate inlet and outlet portion in said efiluentconduit means, said dumping and flushing valve having actuator meansincluding a valve spool regulated by said presettable sequential controlmeans and having a first position wherein clarified efiluent is directedthrough said eflluent conduit means to said tub and a limited controlledflow of fluid from said overflow conduit is directed to said outletportion, saidvalve having a second position wherein said drain conduit,said overflow conduit and said eflluent con duit means are communicatedwith said outlet portion, thereby to flush the separator, while blockingflow through the eflluent conduit means to said tub.

2. A laundry machine as defined in claim 1, and

a conduit connected to said inner finding tube and to said inlet of saidpumping means, thereby to recirculate the light phase particle-richfluid.

3. A laundry machine as defined in claim 1, and

a conduit connected to said inner finding tube,

a settling container connected to said conduit for separating out thelight phase particles, and

means to direct particle free fluid from said settling container to saideflluent conduit means for return of the particle free fluid to the tub.

4. A laundry machine as defined in claim 1, and

a conduit connected to said inner finding tube and discharging into saidcollection vessel, whereupon said light phase particles will settle insaid collection vessel.

5. A laundry machine as defined in claim 1,

said washing means in said tub comprising a perforated vertical axisbasket to confine the materials being laundered and agitating means insaid basket to mechanically flex the materials.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,866,519 Rataiczah July 5, 1932 2,346,005 Bryson Apr. 4, 1944 2,724,503Fontein Nov. 22, 1955 2,756,878 Herkenbofi July 31, 1956 2,823,534Loehle Feb. 18, 1958

